But he was somehow taken the whole 12 rounds by his 35-year-old Colombian opponent, raising question marks about his ability to last during a fight.

Yet that victory earned him a WBC silver title and he has since vacated his European crown to focus on his world-title aspirations. And March 23 could offer the 26-year-old a big stepping stone to achieving his goal.

"I know the date - 23rd March," DeGale told ESPN's Steve Bunce on his new boxing podcast. "I'm just waiting for a venue and an opponent, but it'll be a world-class opponent. I'm just looking forward to getting back in there now. It should be in London, we'll announce it this week."

The former Olympic gold medallist has lost once in his 15 career fights, to British rival George Groves in 2011, but the Londoner believes that loss has since served him well.

On the subject of a rematch with Groves, DeGale hinted that he was not immediately on his radar and highlighted other fighters he would be keen to face in the division, including Carl Froch.

"I've had 15 fights but 7 of them have been 12 rounders against decent opposition," he added. "So I'm ready to take anyone on. I've become a more rounded fighter since the Olympics, and I've learnt more from losing to George Groves than if I'd won. It's done me the world of good.

"The super-middleweight division is very exciting. Even domestically. If Chris Eubank Junior can step up a weight, Groves, Froch. If I keep on progressing I think I can get a world title fight, perhaps with Carl Froch."